Headache and Heartburn Interesting discussion..now I see a glimmer of hope that there will be internal debate among people who follow Islamic faith. However, some of the forumites have done what they do the best..launch personal attack on solitude rahter than debating whit him. Stock answer has been that he does not know what is real Islam, or he has not experienced Islam and so on. Will some body explain us what is experiencing real Islam and does real Islam accept Hinduism practised by one billion a real religion?

I know what to expect from `Real Islamists` but I would like to hear other excuses from most enlightened and well read Pakistanis..

I am waiting.

The Ongoing IT Revolution and Security Implications for Pakistan

Pakistan should stop copying India if ever wants to come out ot Indian shadow. What is good for India is not necesssarily good for Pakistan. Instead of wasting precious resources in trying to find a niche in an already crowded field of IT, Pakistan should concentrate building on its areas of strength. Pakistan has advantages in textile and agriculture. World needs clothes and food more than IT. World textile market is worth 1 trillion dollars and if Pakistan can tap even 5% of world textile market, its foreign currency problems can be resolved. These sectors are man-power intensive and can provide millions of jobs. Unfortunatley Pakistan sell only raw cotton and low margin items like T-shirts and beddings. There is no effort in tapping high value market with newer designs. Pakistan can also develop its fashion industry beyond salwar-kameez era. Imagine if Pakistan had peace, multinational companies will start moving shops to Pakistan, a country with plenty of cotton/textiles and talented work force in that field.

IT is not panacea for Pakistan or even for India but India is much better placed because it has strong foundation and had a head start. I hope my comments are not construed as discouraging Pakistani efforts in IT field but in my opinion IT sector is not the right course for Pakistan`s economy. IT will benefit only few thousand but other sectors can benefit millions.

Pakistan should stop fantasising about taking advantage about strategic location. I have yet to hear about a country which is not strategically located. American spin bowlers use this term to pump up their lackeys in various parts of the world. No country prospers just on the basis of their location. Rule of law, hard work and peace within its borders is must for any development.

Just my two anna thoughts...

The Asian Waltz RE:Sadna #106

A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it. - Oscar Wilde

The Asian Waltz In a nutshell

1. World is sitting on the horns of Pakistani bull.

2. World has been busy making money, India has joined th band wagon, Pakistan has no choice left.

3. Kashmir like a beraham girl enjoyed two jealous lovers fight over her while she always loved someone else.

India-Pakistan Reconciliation School re:krashid

Only people who are being killed in wholesale in Kashmir are Hindus and Sikhs. These are the people who have been thrown out of their homes where they lived for centuries even before Islam arrived. If Muslims are indeed suffering as much as your sham concerns sugggest, they would have been pouring into Pakistan or other parts of India. You mujahideens kill the innocent, throw grenades in public places, silence those who want to participate in elections, kill pilgrims, and you have the gall to blame others. Are Kashmiris better off today than they were in 1989 when Zia unloaded his spare criminals in Kashmir. Unless Pakistan stops sending brain washed murdereres across Kashmir will have no peace.

India-Pakistan Reconciliation School re:krashid

Only people who are being killed in wholesale in Kashmir are Hindus and Sikhs. These are the people who have been thrown out of their homes where they lived for centuries even before Islam arrived. If Muslims are indeed suffering as much as your sham concerns sugggest, they would have been pouring into Pakistan or other parts of India. You mujahideens kill the innocent, throw grenades in public places, silence those who want to participate in elections, kill pilgrims, and you have the gall to blame others. Are Kashmiris better off today than they were in 1989 when Zia unloaded his spare criminals in Kashmir. Unless Pakistan stops sending brain washed murdereres across Kashmir will have no peace.

India-Pakistan Reconciliation School RE:Asim Hayat

You are shedding crocodile tears. Don`t you think Kashmiris will be better off under Indian democracy that Pakistani military ( ok CE ) dictatorship? Are you passionate about self right of Sindhis and Balochis as well. In 1973 PA using helicopter gunships killed nearly 50,000 Balochis who were demanding self determination. Your cry for rights of Kashmiris is a sham. Sooner Pakistan stop sending terrorists, better for Kashmiris.

Regards

Thanx Abid RE:Satyavadi #214

Casteism exists because people like you let it. If everybody decides to give it up. it won`t. Slavery existed because many kept slaves. It does not exist because no one keeps slaves. ``Reality`` is what you and I create. There is no inevitablity about caste. For you it is `inevitable`, but for a person from lower caste, it is reminder of aparthied. Can you be proud of your ancestor if you found out that he refused to offer water to a dalit becasue of his caste? There is no denying caste exists..but if you do not believe in it say you have no caste. Why flaunt it when you know that it hardly matters. On marriage, marrying within caste is not good. There is enough scientific evidence to suggest that marrying outside the race/caste produces better genes and less defects. India has suffered because of this inequality. Please do not tell me that young educated man like you will roll over and let the problem simmer rather than raise a voice against it.

Thanx Abid RE:Vijyamrit #191

Thank you. I have no caste. Our family gave up caste identity few generations back. If anyone asks me about my caste I tell them I have none. I find it amusing that even very educated Indians who probable never believed in caste still mention their caste when asked. The right answer would be that he or she has no caste. However if you believe in caste by all means announce it from every roof top.

Thanx Abid RE:Devkant # 181

I liked your response. Lot of people were waiting for you reply to their interacts. BTW, did anyone ask you for your caste..I do not know whether that is taught in MBA or not, but one should not volunteer information that was not asked. Since you have revealed your caste can you, for reader`s sake, tell us how your caste impacts your life..like in making friends, dealing with people..marriage ..

Where Mountains Move RE:Maliani #34

That is as original as one can find. Couldn`t have been put more succinctly.

Why I’m proud to be a Pakistani A good piece on unsung heros and heroines of Pakistan. I hope they inspires others also to make a Pakistan at peace within and without.

Just one discordant note..Imran Khan has turned into any other politician who indulges in double speak. He probably did not desrve to be there..just my thought.. but...others may disagree.

Thanx Abid Every woman/girl should be allowed to wear anything she feels right. There should be no compulsion. It is not a religious issue. Males can wear whatever they like why prevent women.

There is nothing wrong in wearing shorts. If from this moment on all girls in India and Pakistan start wearing shorts, it may create a storm for few weeks but men will get used to it sooner than later. I could not take my eyes off good looking thighs in my first year in US but soon got used to it.

Purely from health point of view, given hot weather in India and Pakistan, present day dresses are absolutley unhealthy and inconvenient. Why are we so fixated with dress?

Why should anyone see hidden meaning when someone saw a Pakistani woman in shorts. This type of reaction is surprising given these people claim that ``they can not be anything but American though identity is Pakistani``. Hypocrisy at its peak.

Protest against Kalabagh Dam Why are there so few responses to an issue which may snowball into major trouble. Is it part of denial mechanism which many of us practise everyday till the problem comes overhead.

Sindhis constitute nearly 25 to 30% population. Are the allegations that they have been unfairly treated supported by facts? What is the precentage of Sindhis among Pakistani expatriats in US( should be proportional if the opportunites are equal). What is their representation in Pakistani federal government and army? Can someone please provide figures?

I hope Pakistan does not keep denying the problem till it simply explodes. Who knew before March 1971 that Bangladesh was so far removed from Pakistan mainstream? If there is a large scale trouble in Sindh, India will have to face refugee problems. I hope Pakistan remains stable and in peace with India. We have had enough blood shed in the subcontinent.

Thanx Abid Friends take it easy. As t says take a deep breath and toss a coin!

Devkant is obviously a young idealistic dreamer who is yet to learn bitter realities of life. He personally thinks that India Pakistan enmity has gone too far and we need to understand each other better. He has taken pains to write an article on Chowk means he atleast cares. Whatever be the reasoning, his meeting with Abid removed many of his misgivings about Pakistan. To attribute this change only to Abid`s drinking alcohol or his admission that partition was a mistake is not right.

Abid does not represent Pakistan nor does Devkant represents India. People should not jump to conclusion.

The wirter will be disappointed with many negative responses. I hope the readers will take into account his relative inexperience. Have mercy.

Number of Indians dreaming to undo partition is as small as number of Pakistanis who want the same. Their number can be counted on fingers and are no threat as yet. We the majority should keep them under check ;-)

peace

Vignettes from a Short Trip to India Couple of points

Personally I know many Muslims who are doing very well and some of them are toppers too. In my engineering class of 60 students, 7 were Muslims, not a bad number considering that education bug was late in creeping into Muslim Mohallas. An overwhelming majority of Muslims are not far behind in working for their dream. The younger generation does not have to carry the burden of partition and they have also become immune to to-and-fro political rhetoric. Many muslims are now buying properties as per their status even if it meant moving out of muslim majority areas.